Tabernacle update

 After reading other PocketShip posts & blogs I decided to make my tabernacle removable. This decision is mainly based on the height when on the trailer and ability to be garaged. I will also need to consider making the boom gallows removable, (I'll have to give that some more thought).

I previously beefed up BH 2 by glassing both the fore & aft sides and then adding an additional 9mm decorative section and a larger shaped cleat to the aft side. (see Feb 4th, 2024, post)

I previously drilled two recessed holes through the tabernacle into BH 2. (see August 2024 post) this was when I intended to permanently secure the tabernacle to BH 2. So now I am making it removable I will need to do the following:

 

 Firstly, I added an 18mm block to the base of the tabernacle. It sits between the two sides, flush with the bottom and has an aft gap to allow water to drain. This stiffens the tabernacle considerably as well as maintaining the correct internal width.

Next, I drilled a third recessed hole for another hex head bolt that will secure the tabernacle to the beefed-up section of BH 2. The three bolts will be secured by a decorative dome nut and spring washer. 

To prevent the hex bolts spinning when tightening the dome nuts, I filled the recess with lightly thicken epoxy. This involved covering the hex heads and shafts with sticky tape and tightly screwing them in place while filling the recess with epoxy. The tape will allow removal of the bolts but still give a tight fit for the hex heads.

To ensure the tabernacle and bowsprit locate in the exact place for the securing bolts I decided to install some laminated locating timbers.

 Timber strips are milled up.

I followed my theme using hoop pine and blue gum laminated together.

The laminations are glued and held with clamps.

The strips are cut to size the edges routed and sanded smooth. The screw holes are drilled and countersunk.

Three coats of epoxy and several coats of polyurethane.

The tabernacle is bolted in place and each locating piece is screwed hard up against the tabernacle.

This shot shows the locating timbers strips which ensure the tabernacle sits perfectly for the securing bolts through the BH.

To strengthen the three SS bolt holes and prevent water ingress to the tabernacle and BH 2 I re-drilled larger diameter holes, epoxy filled and re-drilled.

 

Hawse Pipe Installation

 I liked the idea of installing hawse pipes into the forward section of the bow sides. They will not only be used for mooring and anchor lines but using a strap will also serve to secure the boat on the trailer.

I was fortunate enough to find an Australian distributer that had the exact size I required and at a good price.

After marking out the location I used a jig saw to cut out two holes in the forward bow section.

Due to force placed on the hawse pipes when a strap secures the boat to the trailer, I decided to beef up the area.

Firstly, I laid two additional layers of glass to the inside, ensuring the glass overlapped the fillets onto the deck area.

To provide good purchase for the hawse pipes securing screws, I laminated and shaped two 9mm thick plywood sections.

The port and starboard laminated sections are glued in place.

Three coats of epoxy are applied with a light sanding between each coat.

A trial fit...looks good from the outside....

and from the inside......

 

Cockpit Footwell Glassing

 

Starboard footwell side glassed.

Port side is glassed............

The footwell floor is sanded cleaned and masked up.

and fiberglass laid ready to be wetted out. 

And the final piece wetted out......

At last, another milestone, I have finished glassing all the top sections of the boat.